Patience - January 1

Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings

A MOTTO FOR THE YEAR

As I sit here in my quiet room, casting about in mind for a motto which may serve as a guide during this New Year, I recall some unsigned verses which once appeared in the Spectator. They run thus:

"I asked the New Year for some motto sweet,
Some rule of life by which to guide my feet;
I asked and paused. It answered soft and low:
'God's Will to know.'

"Will knowledge, then, suffice, New Year?' I cried;
But ere the question into silence died,
The answer came: 'Nay, this remember, too-
'God's Will to do.'

"Once more I asked: Is there still more to tell?'
And once again the answer sweetly fell:
'Yea, this one thing all other things above­
God's Will to love.'"

God's will to know - God's will to do - God's will to love: here is strength, contentment, hap­piness. Many an old year we have seen sink into the gulf of time, and many dear friends have paid that homage to Nature and the grave which we ourselves must in turn pay, and the loss of them, though the source of keen regret, is the kindly process by which Providence weans us from un­due attachment to the pleasures of sense and the joys of life.

This green earth is not an eternal biding-place. Comrades are carried off from our side; reverses strike us; sickness discloses our slight hold upon life; and the corporal faculties lose gradually their suppleness and power. The silver cord that binds together body and soul is weakening under the strain of prolonged exis­tence; and we are warned to prepare for the mo­ment when time shall be no more. Doubtless, our best preparation is to take a cheerful yiew of life's duties, and do, day by day, our work in the world, whatever it may be, with courage, hopefulness, and generosity of spirit.

-M.J. Watson} S.J.: Within the Soul.

-----------

Holy thoughts and tender words
Are at best mere leaves and flowers,
But the fruits are generous deeds­
Where, O coward soul, are ours?
Soon, too soon, will come the end:
God forgive what's past and gone!
Mary Mother! Angels! Saints!
Pray for me and help me on.

-Rev. Matthew Russell, S.J.

____________________
Compiled and Edited by Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
1937, Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See